Chapter 37
Griffith felt as if Quentin might as well have ripped open his gut. ‘Twould be less painful and end his suffering more quickly. How could he have let Kallen ride off with that monster?
More importantly, how could he get her back?
Griffith knew he’d led a magical life before Carina died. Everything came easily to him, whether using his skills as a warrior or in his relationships with people. With his wife’s death and the loss of his son devastating him, though, he’d wandered through life, empty, with nothing to give.
Until now. Kallen brought back his love of life. For his land, his people.
And her.
Was God some vile puppet master, pulling strings as he watched the emotional turmoil unwind? Or had God granted him gifts enough to meet Nowland’s challenge head on? The decision he now made would affect the rest of his life.
He could not give Kallen up as she asked. She had almost withered away within the prison walls of the convent. He would not see her stranded in a prison of no escape.
He would fight for his beloved. In doing so, he would risk everything—his good name, that of his family, even that of the de Mangerons. They could lose their lands, their wealth, their position in society.
Even their very lives.
He must find a way to get Kallen and protect both families. Griffith realized he would have Crispin’s unequivocal support and that of his mother and sister, too. He must ride after Kallen and permanently eliminate the threat her father posed.
But should he warn King Edward of Quentin’s plot? That would also risk the lives of the men in that room. Some faces present at the secret meeting at Nowland surprised him. Many were the older barons whose loyalty to the first Edward had been unwavering. Dare he implicate any of them?
Or could he simply expose Nowland’s role in the rebellion and protect the others?
Turmoil raged within him as he stood in the inner bailey.
Griffith needed to organize his thoughts, and he could think of no better place than up on the wall-walk.
He quickly made his way to the outer bailey and up the ladder.
As he reached the top, dawn broke over Sommerset.
He took in the rolling pastures and the calm lake.
The beauty of the land took his breath away.
Yet Griffith knew in his heart he would risk this land—and so much more—to be reunited with his wife. Many might scoff at such a reckless venture, all for one woman, but he had no choice.
Kallen completed him. He would be useless without the woman he loved by his side.
His unwavering certainty allowed a calm to descend over him. Now he must think clearly and more rapidly than ever before. Nowland already had the jump on Griffith and Kallen in hand.
How could he extract her from such an impossible situation?
His eyes skimmed the horizon and returned, catching sight of a rider. Others followed half a league behind him. Griffith made out the insignia and realized ‘twas Lord Applegate headed his way.
He hurried along to the watchtower. The soldier on duty was alert and identified Applegate’s colors to Griffith as he approached.
“Allow them inside the gates.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Griffith scrambled down as the gates swung open and the party of riders entered. He spotted Lord Applegate in the center of the guard, as assured here as he had been when the conspirators met at Nowland.
“I see you are an early riser, Sir Griffith.” Applegate swung from his horse and stared at him. “God’s teeth, man, but you look like hell.”
He shrugged. “Sleep has not been a priority.”
Applegate placed a hand on Griffith’s shoulder. “We must talk. ‘Tis a matter of urgent importance.”
“Let us go into the great—”
“There’s no time,” Applegate interjected. “I would speak to you alone. Now.” He noticed the Sommerset soldiers who had gathered around them.
Griffith nodded and led him away from the crowd.
“Do you stand with Nowland or against him?” Applegate asked when they had privacy.
He had not been prepared for so direct a question, yet his speedy answer came from the heart.
“I am against all the earl stands for. He took my wife Kallen not a half-hour before your arrival, my lord. He threatened to name Kallen a witch and blackmail my family and the de Mangerons unless she departed with him.”
Griffith closed his eyes and shook his head. “I acquiesced to Kallen’s wishes and let her go with him against my better judgment.”
“She’s the daughter Nowland paraded about?”
He opened his eyes. “Yes. The earl never knew of her existence. He raped Bevia de Mangeron years ago. Kallen is the result of that encounter. Nowland only recently learned of her existence.”
Applegate nodded. “So, he plays a political game with you?”
Griffith’s fists clenched in anger. “You could say that. But despite his threats, I must reclaim Kallen. He will destroy her otherwise.”
Applegate studied him. “And we will not rest until Nowland is destroyed.”
Griffith’s quick intake of breath revealed his surprise.
“The barons used the earl as a way to meet. If the rebellion were discovered, Nowland would have suffered the blame. We do seek to unite against Edward, though. In fact, we have drawn up a group of ordinances. We are readying to ride united and force the king to sign them.”
Lord Applegate cleared his throat. “And we wish the Earl of Cornwall removed, as well. He has ruled England through Edward far too long. The barons have known all along what must be done ever since Edward ascended the throne three years ago. Nowland merely gave us the way to meet and hatch our own plans in privacy.”
“Then you don’t intend to overthrow the king?” he asked.
Applegate chuckled. “Edward may be the worse king England has seen, but his half-brother would be far, far worse.”
Relief flooded Griffith. “I speak for my entire family as Lord Sommersby, as my father has recently passed. When do we ride?”
Applegate eyed him with approval. “We gather now with our list of ordinances.”
“What might those be, my lord?”
“That the king must not leave the realm without the knowledge of the barons. That he must not appoint a keeper of the realm, as we fear Piers Gaveston, as the Earl of Cornwall, may become. That Parliament be required to meet at least once a year and have greater control of his finances. Also, five lords would be assigned to hear complaints against the king’s ministers.
There are others, but I haven’t the time to continue.
I have one thing left to ask. Are you with us, Lord Sommersby? ”
“Your goals are ones good for England,” Griffith answered immediately. “I shall support this endeavor.”
Applegate smiled. “I knew you would. Of course, Edward will be no problem, spineless idiot that he is. We will remove Piers Gaveston immediately. I’d prefer to disembowel the man and lop off his head, but most favor that he merely be exiled.
He’ll also be excommunicated if he sets foot inside England ever again. ”
Griffith thought a moment. “What about Nowland? Once he learns he was merely a vessel and never in control, how will the barons deal with him?”
Applegate waved a hand in front of him. “His gambling has him in severe debt. If he agrees to quietly live off his land, he’ll be left alone. He truly has no political support. He was simply used as a means to an end.”
“Will he be told of the ordinances? I ask because of Kallen. She is now my wife, and I will do anything to see her returned safely to me.”
“Lord Peters rides to Nowland now. He is to keep Lord Nowland occupied until the barons have forced Edward’s hand.
It will not take long, for we are led by Henry Plantagenet, Earl of Lincoln, and the king’s cousin, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster.
We are united in our purpose. Once Edward has agreed to our demands, I’ll send word to Lord Peters, and he will reveal Nowland’s fate to him. ”
Applegate gave Griffith a sympathetic glance. “I see how concerned you are about your wife. If you can halt Nowland’s progress now and hold him at Sommerset instead while the barons act, I see no harm in altering the plan in such a small way.”
A rush of excitement ran through Griffith. “Thank you, my lord. I am in your debt.”
“Godspeed to you, Griffith Sommersby.” Applegate turned and made his way back to his horse. He gave a wave to Griffith before he and his men departed.
Griffith motioned for the captain of his guard to join him.
“Philip, we must—”
“We are ready to ride, my lord. We have been since shortly after Lady Kallen rode through the gates with the Earl of Nowland.” Philip grinned. “We knew we would be called to hunt down that spineless bastard.”
Griffith gripped his captain’s shoulder. The weariness fled him. He felt battle-ready.
“Then call for Satan and my sword, Philip, and let us be off.”
A cold ran deep inside Kallen. She felt its icy fingers grip her soul. She realized her sacrifice was great, but she would do it again and again... for love.
She only hoped God would be appeased by her actions and forgive her for murdering Sir Rodger. She said a silent prayer begging God to keep her husband and family safe—and to keep Griffith from following them. She would not have him give up so much for her. ‘Twas too much to ask.
She wrapped Deva’s cloak more closely about her.
Dawn had broken, but a chill still lingered in the early morning air.
Quentin’s soldiers had camped a few miles from Sommerset.
Once they’d arrived, a kind soldier escorted her to a horse of her own, for which she was grateful.
She couldn’t imagine riding all day next to her father.
His black aura had become almost physical in nature. It smothered her when she was near him.
Kallen beheld the soldiers that surrounded her. They looked to be capable men with auras showing their reliability. Yet she picked up from them the same unspoken feelings she had the night her father’s conspirators gathered in her presence.